Self-locking firearm barrel safety device and process for securing a firearm barrel

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a locking element to be inserted into the barrel and/or the cartridge chamber of a firearm, said locking element comprising: a sleeve with an actuator, an operating element and a wedge element provided therein, wherein the operating element is at least partially provided movably within the wedge element. The actuator can insert the operating element into the wedge element which causes the wedge element to expand and be pressed against the wall of the barrel thus blocking the barrel. The actuator can also move the operating element out of the wedge element so that the wedge element can move back into a position in which the locking element can be removed from the barrel wherein the actuator is operated via an electronic device located in the locking device or a separate operating unit.

The present invention relates to a device and a process for locking thebarrel and/or the cartridge chamber of a firearm. Such devices or safetymeans are usually provided in the barrel of a firearm and make itimpossible for the firearm to be fired.

DE 198 41 107 A1 (ProSafeArms) for example discloses a safety devicewherein the cartridge magazine or cartridge chamber in revolvers isblocked. For this purpose, a safety sleeve is first inserted in thecartridge magazine via the normal loading process. Furthermore, a guidetube with a notch-bolt is inserted from the muzzle in the direction ofthe cartridge magazine. For blocking the cartridge magazine, thenotch-bolt engages in the safety sleeve. Also, at the end of the guidetube a lock is provided which can for example be a combination lock, adeadbolt lock or a padlock, and which prevents an unauthorized removalof the notch-bolt and the safety sleeve from the outside. However, sucha safety device has the disadvantage that the lock can easily be brokenfrom the outside and therefore does not offer reliable protection.

Furthermore, a safety element is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,344(Omega) which is inserted in the barrel of a firearm and can expand inthe barrel such that it blocks the barrel. The safety element comprisesa compression shaft with a socket at one end. The compression shaft runsthrough a bore in an expandable portion (preferably made from rubber)and terminates in a threaded portion which engages a threaded tube. Ifthe socket and thus the compression shaft is turned, the threadedportion bores into the threaded tube and causes the expandable portionto be compressed and expanded. However, such a safety element whereinthe expandable portion is made for example of a rubber material has thedisadvantage that it can easily be removed and thus offers no reliableprotection. Furthermore, the handling of the safety element iscomplicated, requiring several actions to place the safety element intothe barrel and to remove it therefrom.

DE 199 63 326 A1 discloses a similar locking or blocking device forrevolvers and self-loading pistols. The locking or blocking devicecomprises two safety elements. The first safety element has an externalthread on one side on which a rubber segment is provided which, however,does not completely cover the thread. The first safety element is loadedinto the revolver via a normal cartridge loading process. From themuzzle side, a second safety element is inserted into the barrel whichhas a bore with an internal thread to engage the external thread. Thetwo safety elements are then screwed together with a special wrench suchthat the rubber element is compressed and thus extends radially, therebyblocking the barrel. As was already mentioned above, such safety deviceshave the disadvantage that they can easily be removed and arefurthermore awkward to handle.

Furthermore, DE 38 36 361 A1 discloses a device for securing firearmswith tip-up barrels. A rod is provided at its front end with ahemispherical seal with the same diameter as the rod, which can beinserted into the gun barrel and can then be locked e.g. with a padlock.The back end of the rod on the other hand is provided with a lock in theform of a collar-type seal wherein the collar-type is larger than thediameter of the firearm barrel. The front end of the rod is insertedinto a tip-up firearm barrel until the collar-type seal is flush withthe barrel, while the other end is locked with a lock so that the rodcannot be pulled out of the barrel. Such a design has the disadvantagethat the lock can easily be broken or the gun barrel simply sawed off.Thus, the device does not offer a reliable protection againstunauthorized users. Furthermore, it can only be used in guns with tip-upbarrels.

WO 2004/008058 A1 also discloses a safety device for firearms which canbe introduced into the barrel of a firearm. For this purpose, a clampingmeans with expanding clamping jaws is operated from the outside bytwisting an armor connected with an expanding thread. Furthermore, adeactivation element is provided with an additional actuator. The safetydevice can only be unlocked when the deactivation element releases theexpanding thread so that it can be twisted. In one embodiment, the armorcan also be connected with a coupling means which rotates the armor suchthat the safety device is for example unlocked when the actuatorreleases the expanding thread via the deactivation element.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a device and aprocess for reliably locking a firearm which in addition can be handledeasily and quickly.

This object is achieved by a locking element according to claim 1. Thelocking element has the advantage that it can reliably lock the barrelof a firearm in both directions, i.e. from the muzzle side and thecartridge chamber side, by blocking the barrel with a wedge element.Furthermore, the locking element can easily and quickly be mounted inand removed from a firearm barrel, namely by means of an actuator whichoperates the locking element via an electronic device.

Additional preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The present invention and the individual steps of locking the barrel ofa firearm are described in the more detail on the basis of the encloseddrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a firearm barrel withthe safety device according to one embodiment of the invention,comprising a locking element and an operating unit, wherein theoperating unit is connected to the locking element to lock or unlock thebarrel,

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a shows a schematic drawing of a barrel with a junction to thecartridge chamber,

FIG. 3 b shows a schematic drawing of a barrel with a continuousdiameter,

FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a locking element whereinthe wedge element is moved into a position in which the locking elementcan no longer be removed from the barrel,

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking element according toone embodiment of the invention wherein the wedge element is in aposition in which the locking element can be removed,

FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional side view of the locking element andparts of the operating unit according to one embodiment of theinvention,

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking element wherein thelocking element cannot be removed from the barrel,

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view according to FIG. 7 wherein thelocking element can be removed from the barrel,

FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the locking element,

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the connection between thelocking element and the operating unit.

As can be inferred from FIGS. 1 and 2, a locking element 2 according toone embodiment of the invention has been inserted into the barrel of afirearm from the muzzle side and locked. This makes it impossible toload and fire the firearm. For removing the locking element 2 andre-using the firearm, an unauthorized third party would have to replacethe entire barrel 6 of the firearm.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the self-locking firearmbarrel safety device comprises a locking element 2 and preferably aseparate operating unit 4. The operating unit 4 preferably remainsoutside of the barrel 6.

The operating unit 4 can be coupled with the locking element 2 fortransmitting and/or receiving data. The transmission of data between thelocking element 2 and the operating unit 4 can be effected via a wire orin a wireless manner. The operating unit 4 can be coupled mechanicallyand/or electrically with the locking element 2.

A wireless coupling can be effected via radio, for example by means ofan inductive coupling, in the very low frequency, low frequency, mediumfrequency and/or high frequency band, e.g. in the range of 3 kHz to 30Mhz.

The wireless coupling can furthermore also be effected via an opticalcoupling or an electromagnetic coupling in the microwave and UHFfrequency range for example from 400 MHz to 5 GHz. In the case of awired transmission, transmission is for example effected via a 1-wirebus. The coupling between the operating unit 4 and the locking element 2can also be a combination of the above-mentioned possible couplings.

Data and/or energy can be transferred between the operating unit 4 andthe locking element 2.

The electronic device 9 is preferably located within the locking element2, but it can also be provided in the operating unit 4. The electronicdevice 9 carries out an authorization examination and/or unlocks theactuator. The actuator is preferably located in the locking element 2,but it can also be provided in the operating unit 4. The operating unitserves to enter data (e.g. entering a PIN code and/or biometric data)wherein the data is transferred from the operating unit 4 to theelectronic device 9 for the authorization examination.

The electronic device 9 can be self-sufficient, e.g. via a battery 10,and/or not self-sufficient or partially self-sufficient, wherein energyis provided via the operating unit 4 for example via a wire or a cable.Alternatively, energy can also be provided inductively.

The operating unit 4 can be connected to the locking element 2 via acoupling unit 12 to unlock and/or re-lock the locking element 2 in thefirearm barrel 6.

The locking element 2 can preferably be completely inserted into thefirearm barrel 6 and/or the cartridge chamber, as depicted e.g. in FIGS.1 and 2. Furthermore, the locking element 2 comprises a barrel lockingmechanism, which will be explained in detail in the following, as wellas optionally a preferably electromechanical actuation mechanism whichreleases and/or locks the locking mechanism, and optionally a miniatureelectronic device 9 which controls the actuation mechanism.

The locking element 2 comprises a socket or sleeve 14 in which anactuator, an operating element 16 and an expanding element are provided.As shown in the Figures, the expanding element can be formed as a wedgeelement 18 comprising at least one or two wedge plates or, as shown e.g.in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 to 9, comprising for example three wedge plates.

In principle, there are firearm barrels with and without cartridgemagazines. Firearm barrels without a cartridge magazine have anessentially cylindrical structure with a continuous diameter, as shownin FIG. 3 b. Furthermore, there are firearm barrels wherein the firearmbarrel has a junction to the cartridge chamber (firearm barrel withcartridge magazine), i.e. a junction between the smaller diameter of thebarrel and the larger diameter of the barrel in the portion of thecartridge chamber (cf. FIG. 3 a).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wedge element 18 can beprovided such that it can at least be partially inserted into acartridge magazine junction of a firearm barrel. In this embodiment, inorder to block the barrel 6, the wedge element 18 is arranged such inthe junction that it is at least partially or completely flush with thewall or pressed against it in the junction portion so that it cannot bepulled out in the direction of the muzzle of the barrel, as shown in avery simplified manner in FIG. 3 a. The wedge element 18 is in aform-fitting connection with the junction towards the muzzle of thebarrel. Thus, the locking element 2 cannot be pulled out of the barrelin the direction of the muzzle. Furthermore, the pressing of the wedgeelement against at least a portion of the cylindrical segment of thebarrel and/or the cartridge chamber also results in a frictionalengagement so that the locking element cannot be removed in thedirection of the cartridge chamber.

The embodiment according to FIG. 3 a shows a locking mechanism accordingto the present invention which illustrates the principle of theself-locking effect. In this mechanism, the operating element and therolling element guide are provided such (cf. e.g. FIG. 4) that ifpressure is exerted on the operating element from the muzzle side of thebarrel, the operating element presses the wedge element 18 even furtheragainst the wall via the rolling element guide. If pressure is exertedfrom the cartridge chamber side, the wedge element is pressed evenfurther against the junction portion.

The junction in the firearm barrel can be of any desired shape. As isshown in a simplified manner in FIG. 3 a, the junction can have theshape of a perpendicular edge, or it can for example be conical, curvedor graded.

As was already described above, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the wedge element 18 can be formed such that it is at leastpartially flush with the junction. For this purpose, the wedge element18 can additionally comprise a projection 19, as shown for example inFIG. 4.

Another embodiment of the present invention is preferably used infirearm barrels with a continuous diameter, i.e. firearm barrels withouta cartridge magazine. In this embodiment as well, the principle ofself-locking as described above is realized as well.

In that case, in another embodiment of the present invention, thelocking element 2 comprises for example two wedge elements 18 as shownin a very simplified manner in FIG. 3 b. The two wedge elements 18 areprovided next to each other and can also be formed as one wedge element18. If, as shown in FIG. 3 b, two or more wedge elements 18 are used,the wedge elements 18 can be provided at separate locations in thelocking element, preferably in areas where manipulative forces can beexpected; for example in areas at the two ends of the locking element.

The two wedge elements 18 are formed such that they can secure thelocking element 2 against manipulation attempts from both sides, similarto the locking element in FIG. 3 a. The wedge elements 18 are pressedagainst the wall of the barrel 6 to form a frictional connection.Furthermore, the two tapered internal portions 8 a, 8 b of the wedgeelements constitute an additional locking mechanism in the cartridgechamber direction and the muzzle direction.

As is shown in the schematic drawing in FIG. 3 b, the removal of thelocking element 2 from the barrel, both from the muzzle side and thecartridge chamber side, is prevented by the frictional connection of thecorresponding wedge element 18 and the barrel. In addition, whenpressure is exerted on the operating element 16 in the direction of themuzzle of the barrel, the tapered portion 8 a on the inside of the wedgeelement 18 causes the wedge element 18 to be pressed even furtheragainst the wall of the barrel 6 via a rolling element guide so that thewedge element 18 is pressed even further against the barrel.Furthermore, when pressure is exerted on the operating element 16 in thedirection of the cartridge chamber, the second tapered portion 8 b onthe inside of the other wedge element 18 causes the wedge element 18 tobe pressed even further against the wall of the barrel 6. In both cases,the frictional engagement is reinforced and a self-locking effect isachieved. That means if an unauthorized party tries to manipulate thelocking element by exerting pressure on the locking element, he causesthe wedge elements to be pressed even further against the barrel via theoperating element. This effect occurs independently of whether pressureis exerted from the muzzle side of the barrel or from the cartridgechamber side. In FIG. 3 b, for example, a sleeve 13 with an additionalprojection 15 forms a clamp preventing the removal of the rollingelement.

The operating element 16 for expanding the wedge element 18 is formedsuch that it can be provided at least partially within the wedge plates18.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the operating element 16preferably comprises a conical portion 16 a and an essentiallycylindrical portion 16 b. The operating element 16 can be formed as onecomponent or, as e.g. shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, comprise severalcomponents. Corresponding to the operating element 16, the wedge element18 can be provided with a conical portion 18 a and a cylindrical portion18 b.

The operating element 16 can be movably provided within the wedgeelement 18, preferably by means of a rolling element guide 20, e.g. alinear ball guide 20, as shown in FIG. 4. The rolling element guide cancomprise at least one rolling element 21 and one spring element 23, asshown for example in the detailed view in FIG. 4. However, this rollingelement is only one possibility for the person of average skill in theart to position or guide the operating element 16 within the wedgeelement 18. In addition to ball elements, conical or cylindricalelements, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, or other rolling elements areconceivable as well. The rolling element guide offers the advantage thatthe wedge elements can be moved apart without generating largefrictional forces as would be the case if the operating element werecompletely flush with the wedge element.

An actuator is used to operate the operating element 16. The actuatorcan for example comprise at least one wire element comprising a shapememory alloy, and or at least one electric motor and/or at least onemagnet array, for example an electromagnet array. However, the inventionis not restricted to the above-mentioned embodiments of an actuator. Thelisted embodiments merely represent some examples of actuators foroperating the operating element. In addition to the mentioned examples,there are further possibilities. Actuators fulfilling the abovefunctions based on the given energy or force conditions are suitable.

For locking the locking element 2, the operating element 16 is pushedbetween the wedge plate(s) 18, causing them to expand.

In one embodiment of the present invention according to which theoperating element 16 comprises a cylindrical and a conical portion, thewedge plates 18 are first moved apart by the cylindrical portion 16 b.

The cylindrical portion 16 b can be formed such that it moves the wedgeplates 18 apart but does not press them firmly against the barrel. Thishas the advantage that no significant and unnecessary friction occurs.

Via the conical portion 16a the projections of the wedge plates 18 arethen pressed into the junction with the cartridge chamber as shown e.g.in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8. This reliably blocks the barrel with thewedge element 18 and the cartridge magazine junction forming aform-fitting/frictional connection. The conical portion 16 a canpreferably be formed such that in a locking position with the wedgeplates 18 it essentially forms a diameter corresponding to the diameterof the sleeve 14. This has the advantage that a possible jamming of thewedge plates 18 within the sleeve 14 can be prevented. As was alreadydescribed above, the wedge element furthermore offers the advantage thatdue to the form-fitting connection with the junction, pressure from thecartridge chamber side cannot remove the locking element since the wedgeelement is flush with the junction. Nor can pressure exerted on thelocking element from the muzzle side remove the locking element 2 sincethis only presses the wedge element 18 even further against the wall ofthe barrel 6.

In the case of a barrel with a continuous diameter, the operatingelement 16 functions accordingly. There, the wedge element does notcomprise any additional projections, but is pressed firmly against thewall of the barrel by the operating element so that it forms africtional connection with the barrel as shown in FIG. 3 b.

In one embodiment of the invention, the operating element 16 can beoperated directly via the actuator or a rolling element cage or ballcage, as will be explained below. When using the above-mentioned wireelement, the length of the operating element 16 would have to beadjusted to the length of the wire element.

In another alternative embodiment, the locking element 2 comprises anadditional pressure element comprising a first pressure rod 22.

A front portion 22 a of the first pressure rod 22 is preferably coupledwith the operating element 16. One end of the operating element 16 ismovably provided within the pressure rod 22 as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and8. For this purpose, in one embodiment the operating element 16comprises a transverse bore 24 which accommodates a pin portion 26 ofthe pressure rod 22. This allows relative movement between the firstpressure rod 22 and the operating element 16.

Preferably, a spring element 28 is provided which, via the operatingelement 16, prestresses the first pressure rod 22 against the wedgeelement 18 as e.g. shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Compared to the alternative embodiments of the present invention whereinthe operating element 16 and the first pressure rod 22 are firmlyconnected or formed as one component, such a design has the advantagethat the spring element can compensate for minor changes in temperatureor thermal changes in diameter and the like.

In an alternative embodiment, the other end of the operating element 16can be connected with a stop or the sleeve 14 via at least oneadditional spring element 30 as e.g. shown in FIG. 4. The spring element30 serves to provide an additional force which presses the operatingelement 16 back in the direction of the muzzle of the barrel 6 when thelocking element 2 is unlocked. This allows the wedge element 18 to moveinto a position in which it releases the locking element so that it canbe removed.

In another embodiment of the invention, another spring element 31 can beprovided which provides an additional force to compress the wedgeelement 18 when the locking element 2 is unlocked and the operatingelement 16 is moved out of the wedge element 18. The spring element 31can be attached to the sleeve 14 as a stop or, as e.g. shown in FIG. 4,to a separate sleeve 33 as a stop.

Furthermore, the first pressure rod 22 is preferably provided with aball-check arrest 32, 34 comprising a cage 32 provided around the frontportion of the first pressure rod 22 and comprising at least one ballelement 34 as e.g. shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9. The ball element(s) 34is/are pressed outwards against the sleeve 14 for example via a springelement. The ball-check arrest 32, 34 acts as a stop and prevents thepressure rod 22 from being pulled out of the cage 32 and the sleeve 14.The ball-check arrest is pressed against the sleeve 14 when the conicalportion of the pressure rod 22 (FIG. 9) presses against the ball(s) 34.However, the ball-check arrest 32, 34 allows relative movement betweenthe first pressure rod 22 and the sleeve 14 in the direction of thecartridge chamber.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention wherein a wireelement is for example used as an actuator comprises a stop 35 which isfirmly connected with the pressure rod 22. The actuator, which is formedby a first wire element 42, is connected with the cage 32 of theball-check arrest and the stop 35. In a preferred embodiment, acounter-stop 17 is furthermore movably provided within the sleeve 14,wherein the counter-stop 17 is connected with the pressure rod 22 via asecond wire element (not depicted).

Furthermore, a first spring element 40 is provided between the cage 32of the ball-check arrest and the counter-stop 17 or a second pressurerod 36 as shown e.g. in FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiment anothersecond spring element 38 is provided between the counter-stop 17 and thepressure rod 22 or the stop 35 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 9). Alternatively, thefirst spring element 40 can also be provided between the counter-stop 17and the pressure rod 22 or its stop, and the second spring element 38can be provided between the pressure rod 22 and/or its stop 35 and therolling element cage (ball cage).

The wire elements 42 comprise a so-called shape memory alloy, forexample a nickel-titanium alloy. Upon heating, such a shape memory alloyshrinks in length for example by about 4% or more.

For locking, the locking element 2 is inserted into the barrel 6; thiscan be done manually or via the operating unit 4. In particular in thecase of especially long firearm barrels, this is done via the operatingunit. Also, an adapter can be provided which is in particular used inlonger firearm barrels.

An advantage of the locking element 2 wherein a wire element 42 is usedas an actuator is that the locking element 2 can be operated manually tolock the barrel. The mechanical locking step is preferably carried outby the hand of the user. In principle, however, it is also conceivablethat when electric motors or magnet arrays are used as actuators, thelocking element is formed such that it can be locked manually and theactuator is only used for unlocking.

According to a preferred embodiment, the authentication is only carriedout for the unlocking step while locking can be effected withoutauthentication. According to another preferred embodiment,authentication is carried out both for the unlocking and the lockingstep.

In case the securing or locking step does not require an authorizationexamination or authentication, securing takes place manually after theinsertion of the locking element into the firearm barrel. During theinsertion of the locking element 2 into the barrel 6, the first pressurerod 22 and thus the operating element 16 are for example pressed towardsthe cartridge chamber. This pushes the operating element 16 into thewedge element 18 such that it caused the wedge element to expand andblock the barrel. Preferably, the ball cage also moves towards thecartridge chamber and blocks the pressure rod as soon as the wedgeelement blocks the barrel. The electric motor or the magnet array couldbe provided such that they either move along as well or remainstationary and pull back the pressure rod or the ball cage in thedirection of the muzzle of the barrel for unlocking.

Moving the ball cage basically has the huge advantage that it can bemoved with a relatively small force.

Thus, it is easy to manually block the barrel with the locking element 2even if the electronic device were to break down. Furthermore, noadditional specialized tools are required.

An electronic device 9 can be provided in the locking element 2 foroperating the actuator. This electronic device allows the lockingelement to be unlocked easily if a wire element is used as the actuator.However, if instead of the wire element 42 an electric motor or a magnetarray e.g. with a coil are used as the actuator, the actuator isoperated via the electronic device 9 to lock or unlock the lockingelement 2.

For blocking the barrel, the actuator, i.e. for example the electricmotor or the magnet array, operates the operating element 16. Theactuator inserts the operating element into the wedge element 18 untilthe wedge element 18 is pressed firmly against the barrel 6 to form africtional connection or a frictional/form-fitting connection therewith,depending on the type of barrel. The operating element can be coupledwith a pressure element 22, as described above, or the operating elementand the pressure element or the pressure rod 22 can be formed as onecomponent, or only an operating element 16 can be provided. This appliesto all the embodiments described herein.

However, for unlocking the locking element the actuator, be it a wireelement and/or an electric motor and/or a magnet array etc., has to beoperated via the electronic device 9.

The electronic device 9 can for example be provided at a suitablelocation in the locking element, which does not necessarily have to bethe second pressure rod 36 as shown e.g. in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The electronic device 9 is for example a subminiature electronic device.It is connected to an electronic device in the operating unit 4 (notdepicted) via encoded communication such as a 1-wire data bus 48 and canfor example verify a correct authentication of a user (cf. e.g. FIGS. 1,2 and 10).

If a user is identified as an authorized user, the electronic device 9causes the actuator to move the operating element 16 out of the wedgeelement 18 so that the wedge element 18 or the wedge plates move into aposition in which the locking element can be removed from the barrel.

For unlocking the locking element 2 when a wire element is used as anactuator, the electronic device 9 causes the wire element 42 to beheated, e.g. by means of resistance heating (not depicted), and thus toshrink in length. This in turn causes the ball-check arrest 32, 34, towhich the wire element 42 is attached, to be pulled back in thedirection of the muzzle of the barrel as shown in FIG. 8. This way, thefirst pressure rod 22 and the operating element 16 connected thereto canbe moved back or in addition also pressed back by the spring element 30.

The operating element 16 is at least partially pulled out of the wedgeelement 18. As a result, the wedge plates 18 move into a position inwhich the locking element 2 can be removed as shown in FIG. 8. For thispurpose at least one spring element 30 can be additionally provided atthe wedge plates 18, which presses the wedge plates together.Alternatively, a spring element can be provided which is positioned suchthat it at least partially surrounds the wedge plates 18, or a springelement as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The spring element causes the wedgeplates 18 to be pressed together. This has the advantage that the wedgeplates 18 can be moved together again more easily as soon as theoperating element 16 between them is moved out.

In order to protect the locking element 2 against manipulation, anotherspring element 40 as well as another wire element (not depicted) areprovided as described above. The second spring element 40 is for exampleattached to the pressure rod 22 or its stop 35 at one end, and to thecounter-stop 17 at the other end as described above (cf. FIGS. 1, 2 and9).

If a third party attempts to unlock the locking element 2 by heating thefirearm barrel 6 from the outside, e.g. over a gas flame, the first wireelement 42 does shrink in length. However, at the same time, the secondwire element (not depicted) shrinks in length as well.

As a consequence, the spring element 40 generates a counter-force to thefirst spring element 38. This causes the ball cage to be essentiallyunable or hardly able to move back in the direction of the muzzle of thebarrel. Thus, the pressure rod 22 and the operating element 16 cannot bepushed out of the wedge element 18 such that the wedge element movesinto a position in which the locking element 2 can be removed.

As shown e.g. in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, the locking element 2 has to beunlocked before it can be removed from the firearm barrel 6. This iseffected by connecting or coupling the separate operating unit 4 withthe locking element 2. However, instead of a separate operating unit 4it is basically also conceivable to provide the operating unit 4directly in the locking element 2. In an alternative embodiment, theelectronic device 9 of the locking element can also be located in theseparate operating unit 4 instead of in the locking element 2 itself sothat the locking element essentially only contains the mechanicalcomponents.

The operating unit 4 and the locking element 2 can be connected via acoupling mechanism 12. The separate operating unit 4 has the advantagethat it can be stored independently of the locking element 2.

This means that after locking the firearm barrel 6, the operating unit 4can be removed from the locking element 2 for example in order to bestored in a safe location.

Furthermore, it is possible to leave only the locking element 2 as aninvisible safety device in the barrel 6 which has the advantage that thefirearm can easily be transported and stored.

Another advantage is that a great number of firearms can be secured withcorresponding locking elements 2 which, however, can all be operated,i.e. locked and unlocked, by means of the same operating unit 4.

The locking element 2 is usually formed specifically for the caliber ofa firearm, i.e. for example based on the diameter of the barrel and thedimensions of the cartridge magazine, and can for example be adapted asneeded by the customer to the desired barrel lengths in definedincrements. Optionally, the locking element can also be adjusted todifferent barrel lengths by means of suitable adapter elements. When aseparate operating unit is used, such an adaptation to different kindsof firearms is not necessary.

In addition to the basic versions for self-loading firearms such aspistols and guns, variations for revolver and rifle calibers (e.g.shotguns for hunting) are offered as well. Firearms for hunting areusually characterized in that they are loaded manually from thecartridge chamber, i.e. from behind (tip-up principle) so that thelocking element is installed in this manner as well.

The operating unit 4 can work with all variations of the locking element2 independent of the number and types of the firearms to be secured.This is for example advantageous because one operating unit 4 can beused for different locking elements 2 adjusted to specific types offirearms based on their use. As was already mentioned above, this meansthat in general at most the locking element 2 has to be adjusted to atype of firearm but not necessarily a separate operating unit 4.

The operating unit 4 comprises the above-mentioned coupling unit 12which can be connected with the locking element 2 at any location, aslong as e.g. a data bus 48 of the operating unit 4, preferably a 1-wiredata bus, can be connected with the electronic device 9 of the lockingelement 2 or the electronic device with the actuator if the electronicdevice is provided in the operating unit 4 as well.

A multi-step authentication process is preferably used to secure thesystem. Each operating unit 4 can for example be provided with anindividual password by the manufacturer which is stored in the operatingunit 4. This password is for example transferred to every lockingelement 2 when it is first locked with this operating unit 4. Eachunlocking process is initiated by transferring the password of theoperating unit 4. Thus, only this specific operating unit 4 can be usedfor unlocking.

In addition, the use of an operating unit 4 can for example be securedby means of an authentication process. As was described above, this canbe done using a PIN code and/or biometric data. Preferably, the PIN aswell as the password of the operating unit 4 can be modified by theuser.

The following means can be applied to secure the system against a directmechanical attack such as hitting, shaking, drilling, milling, erodingand the like.

For example, a hard metal insert can be used for the second pressure rod36, as well as a ceramic armor. Furthermore, a self-locking wedgeprotection and/or a severance protection can be provided.

The following means can be applied to secure the electronic systems andthe communication channels (password transfer).

For example, a mechanical protection can be provided by a subminiaturesize and placing in the secured barrel portion. Furthermore, a surgeprotection can be provided for the electronics in the locking element(not depicted). Also, protection against wrong polarity as well asencoded communication between the operating unit 4 and the lockingelement 2 can be provided.

A counter-stop can be provided as an expansion safety of the shapememory alloy wire to safeguard the actuation mechanism. Furthermore, asecond actuator can be provided between the counter-stop and a fixedpoint with a low temperature transition as a thermal safety againstexternal heating of the locking element 2. Moreover, a high springtension of an actuator can be provided as a protection against vibrationand knocking.

The above-described safety device for a firearm barrel with theirdifferent embodiments, which can also be combined with each other, hasthe advantage that it offers a way to secure firearms throughout entireadministrative levels. It can be used in pools, such as e.g. the jointuse of firearms, operating units and the accompanying authorizationadministration, or it can be used to integrate facilities such as publicauthorities, departments or military units.

Apart from the possible technical adjustments to specific types offirearms, special emphasis is given to the following features.

First, the option of a central administration of the system by globallyvalid operating unit passwords. Secondly, the possibility of conferringuser authorizations of the operating units 4 by individual unit-specificcertificates. They can have temporal restrictions or limitations to acertain type or number of uses.

The possibility of on-line administration is another aspect. This canfor example include a protocol of the unlocking and locking processesand/or a central authentication and/or a system-wide switch of theparameters.

The present invention is not restricted to the embodiments describedabove, but also encompasses embodiments which are obvious to the personof average skill in the art. Furthermore, features of the embodimentsdescribed above can also be combined with each other.

List of Reference Numbers

-   2 locking element-   4 operating unit-   6 barrel-   8 a tapered portion of the wedge element-   8 b tapered portion of the wedge element-   9 electronic device-   10 battery-   12 coupling unit-   13 sleeve-   14 sleeve-   15 stop-   16 operating element-   16 a conical portion of the operating element-   16 b cylindrical portion of the operating element-   17 counter-stop-   18 wedge element-   18 a conical portion of the wedge element-   18 b cylindrical portion of the wedge element-   19 projection-   20 rolling element guide-   21 rolling element of the rolling element guide-   22 first pressure rod-   22 a front portion of the first pressure rod-   23 spring element of the rolling element guide-   24 transverse bore-   26 pin portion of the first pressure rod-   28 spring element-   30 spring element-   31 spring element-   32 cage-   33 sleeve for spring element 31-   34 ball element-   35 stop of the pressure rod-   36 second pressure rod-   38 second spring-   40 first spring-   42 first wire element-   48 data bus

1. Locking element to be at least partially inserted into the barreland/or the cartridge chamber of a firearm, said locking elementcomprising: a sleeve with an actuator, an operating element and a wedgeelement provided therein, wherein the operating element is providedmovably within the wedge element, and wherein the operating element isformed and provided such that when the locking element is inserted intothe barrel, the operating element can be inserted into the wedge elementwhich causes the wedge element to expand and be pressed against the wallof the barrel thus blocking the barrel, wherein the wedge element ispressed further against the wall of the barrel if external pressure isapplied to the locking element and wherein the actuator can move theoperating element out of the wedge element so that the wedge element canmove back into a position in which the locking element can be removedfrom the barrel wherein the actuator is operated via an electronicdevice.
 2. Locking element to be at least partially inserted into thebarrel and/or the cartridge chamber of a firearm, said locking elementcomprising: a sleeve with an actuator, an operating element and a wedgeelement provided therein, wherein the operating element is providedmovably within the wedge element, and wherein the actuator can insertthe operating element into the wedge element which causes the wedgeelement to expand and be pressed against the wall of the barrel thusblocking the barrel, wherein the wedge element is pressed furtheragainst the wall of the barrel if external pressure is applied to thelocking element and wherein the actuator can move the operating elementout of the wedge element so that the wedge element can move back into aposition in which the locking element can be removed from the barrelwherein the actuator is operated via an electronic device.
 3. Lockingelement according to claim 1, wherein the wedge element can be pressedagainst a portion of a junction of the barrel and the cartridge chamberto form a form-fitting and frictional connection with the junction. 4.Locking element according to claim 1, characterized in that the wedgeelement can be pressed against the wall of the barrel, wherein thebarrel has a continuous diameter and the wedge element forms africtional connection with the wall of the barrel.
 5. Locking elementaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the wedge element comprisesat least one wedge plate and preferably of two or three wedge plateswherein the wedge plate(s) is/are expanded upon insertion of theoperating element.
 6. Locking element according to claim 3,characterized in that the respective wedge plate comprises a projectionprovided such that it can form a form-fitting connection with a portionof the junction.
 7. Locking element according to claim 1, characterizedin that the wedge plate comprises a conical portion and a cylindricalportion.
 8. Locking element according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe wedge plates comprise at least one additional spring element causingthe wedge plates to be moved together more easily when the operatingelement is moved out of the wedge plates and/or wherein the wedge platescomprise another additional spring element provided such that it pressesthe wedge plates towards the operating element when the wedge plates arein a position in which the locking element can be removed from thebarrel.
 9. Locking element according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe operating element comprises a conical portion and a cylindricalportion.
 10. Locking element according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe locking element comprises a first pressure rod formed integral orcoupled with the operating element, wherein the pressure rod ispreferably coupled to the operating element via a spring element suchthat the operating element prestresses against the wedge element. 11.Locking element according to claim 10, characterized in that theoperating element preferably comprises a portion provided within thepressure rod wherein said portion comprises a transverse bore whichaccommodates a pin portion of the pressure rod so as to allow relativemovement between the operating element and the pressure rod.
 12. Lockingelement according to claim 10, characterized in that the first pressurerod is provided movably in a cage wherein the cage preferably comprisesa rolling element guide with at least one ball element and forms aball-check arrest so that the first pressure rod cannot be removed fromthe sleeve of the locking elements.
 13. Locking element according toclaim 1, characterized in that the actuator comprises at least one firstwire element and/or an electric motor and/or a magnet array wherein themagnet array preferably comprises at least one coil.
 14. Locking elementaccording to claim 13, characterized in that the locking elementcomprises a counter-stop provided movably in the sleeve and/or a secondpressure rod, wherein the first wire element is connected to the cage ofthe ball-check arrest and the pressure rod and where a first springelement is provided between the cage and the counter-stop or the secondpressure rod, and wherein a second wire element is preferably connectedto the counter-stop and the first pressure rod, and a second springelement his provided between the counter-stop and the pressure rode. 15.Locking element according to claim 14, characterized in that both wireelements preferably comprise a shape memory alloy, for example anickel-titanium alloy, wherein upon heating, for example by means ofresistance heating, the wire elements in the locking element shrink inlength, with the resistance heating being activated via the electronicdevice.
 16. Locking element according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe electronic device is provided in the locking element and is operatedvia the separate operating unit, or is provided in the operating unitand can operate the actuator of the locking element if the operatingunit is coupled to the locking element.
 17. Locking element according toclaim 1, characterized in that data and/or energy can be transferredbetween the operating unit and the locking element, wherein the dataexchange can be both via wire and wireless.
 18. Locking elementaccording to claim 17, characterized in that a wireless coupling betweenthe locking element and the operating unit can be effected via radio, inparticular via inductive coupling, in the very low frequency, lowfrequency, medium frequency and/or high frequency band, for example in arange of 3 kHz to 30 Mhz.
 19. Locking element according to claim 17,characterized in that a wireless coupling between the locking elementand the operating unit can be effected via an optical coupling and/or anelectromagnetic coupling, wherein the electromagnetic coupling ispreferably effected in the microwave and UHF frequency range for examplefrom 400 MHz to 5 GHz.
 20. Locking element according of claim 1,characterized in that data and/or energy can be transferred between thelocking element and the operating unit.
 21. Locking element according toclaim 20, characterized in that the electronic device isself-sufficient, i.e. it comprises for example at least one battery,and/or is not self-sufficient or partially self-sufficient, whereinenergy is provided via the operating unit for example via a wire or acable or inductively.
 22. Locking element according of claim 1, whereinthe electronic device, which is preferably a subminiature electronicdevice, carries out an authorization examination and/or unlocks theactuator and wherein the authorization examination is for exampleeffected via a PIN code or biometric data.
 23. Locking element accordingto claim 1, wherein the locking element is mechanically and/orelectrically coupled to the operating unit via a coupling unit. 24.Locking element according to claim 1, characterized in that theoperating unit comprises a separate data bus, for example a 1-wire databus, which is connected to the electronic device of the locking elementwhen the operating unit and the locking element are coupled.
 25. Lockingelement according to claim 14, characterized in that the second and/orthe first pressure rod comprise(s) a hard metal insert and/or a ceramicreinforcement.
 26. Locking element according to claim 1, characterizedin that the locking element comprises a wedge protection and/or aseverance protection.
 27. Locking element according to claim 1,characterized in that a counter-stop is provided as shape memoryexpansion safety in the sleeve to secure the actuator.
 28. Lockingelement according to claim 27, characterized in that a safety actuatoris provided between the counter-stop and a fixed point with a lowtemperature transition.
 29. Locking element according to claim 1,wherein the operating element is provided movably within the wedgeelement via a rolling element guide.
 30. Locking element according toclaim 29, wherein the rolling element guide comprises at least one ballelement or a rolling element and a spring element.
 31. Operating unitfor the use in a locking element according to claim 1, wherein theoperating element comprises a coupling unit for coupling with thelocking element.
 32. Operating unit according to claim 31, wherein theoperating unit is formed such that it can preferably be coupled with thelocking element via a data bus from the outside and/or in a wirelessmanner and that it can transmit and/or receive data, wherein a wirelesscoupling between the operating unit and the locking element can beeffected via radio in the very low frequency, low frequency, mediumfrequency and/or high frequency band, for example in a range of 3 kHz to30 Mhz, and/or an inductive coupling, and/or an optical coupling and/oran electromagnetic coupling, wherein the electromagnetic coupling ispreferably effected in the microwave and UHF frequency range for examplefrom 400 MHz to 5 GHz.
 33. Operating unit according to claim 31,characterized in that the operating unit can transfer data and/or energyto the locking element.
 34. Operating unit (4) according to claim 31,wherein the operating unit is secured by an authentication process whichis preferably effected via a PIN code and/or a radio transponder and/orbiometric data which are collected by corresponding sensors.
 35. Processfor locking a locking element in the barrel of a firearm, in particularaccording to claim 1, comprising the following steps: at least partiallyinserting the locking element into the barrel and/or the cartridgechamber of the firearm, wherein the operating element is formed andprovided such that it is automatically inserted into the wedge elementwhen the locking element is inserted into the barrel of the firearmwhich causes the wedge element to expand and be pressed against the wallof the barrel thus blocking the barrel, and wherein the wedge element ispressed further against the wall of the barrel if external pressure isapplied to the locking element and wherein for removing the lockingelement the electronic device causes the actuator to move the operatingelement out of the wedge element so that the wedge element can move backinto a position in which the locking element can be removed.
 36. Processfor locking a locking element in the barrel of a firearm, in particularaccording claim 2, comprising the following steps: at least partiallyinserting the locking element into the barrel and/or the cartridgechamber of the firearm, wherein the electronic device operates theactuator so that the actuator inserts the operating element into thewedge element which causes the wedge element to expand and be pressedagainst the wall of the barrel thus blocking the barrel, and wherein thewedge element is pressed further against the wall of the barrel ifexternal pressure is applied to the locking element and wherein forremoving the locking element the electronic device causes the actuatorto move the operating element out of the wedge element so that the wedgeelement can move back into a position in which the locking element canbe removed.